Obituary of Vera M. Franzese

Vera Marie Meehan Franzese, 95, of Watkins Glen, NY died on December 13, 2024, surrounded by her family. She was born on July 7, 1929, to Esther Carney and John D. Meehan. She married the love of her life, Joseph A. Franzese, Sr. on September 18, 1947.

Vera is survived by her children, Charles J. (Rosemarie) Franzese, Joseph A. (Nelly) Franzese, Jr., John G. (Doreen) Franzese, Angela V. (Neil) Seamon, and Robert L. Franzese; daughter-in-law, Virginia Christensen; sister and best friend, Kathryn Meehan Smith; brother, Thomas Meehan, Sr.; brother-in-law, Dominick A. (Midge) Franzese, Jr; and sisters-in-law, Carol Franzese and Sister Margaret Franzese.

She is also survived by grandchildren, Heather Bassett (Corey), Danielle Franzese, Felicia Franzese (Ahmed), Margaret Mortimer (Mark), Jason Franzese, Jessica Stewart (James), Nick Berry (Jessica), Jeffery Munroe (Sunnie), Jared Franzese (Savannah), Kenneth R. Field Jr (Amanda), Kelly Field, Kristin Field, Craig Kelly (Cindy), Randy Kelly (Amy), Kim Lock (Tim), Corey Stansfield (Andy), Gary Kelly Jr (Brenda), Joseph A. Franzese III, Joshua Franzese (Lauren), Mathew Franzese (Cassidy), Sara Franzese (Frank), Stephanie Horgan, and Patricia Horgan; and many loved (26) great grandchildren, great-great grandchildren, nieces, nephews and cousin, Betsy Carrissetti.

Vera was predeceased by her beloved husband Joseph; daughters, Diana M. and Nancy J. Franzese, and Mary E. Kelly; and son Michael J. Franzese. Her parents, Esther and John D. Meehan; her father and mother- in-law, Dominick A. and Carmella Franzese; and her brothers, Lewis and William Meehan. She was also predeceased by her brothers-in-law, Nicholas, James, William and Richard Franzese;, and her sisters-in-law, Jane Franzese, Joyce Davis Franzese (Nick), Patricia Hager Meehan (William), and Ann Morgan Meehan (Lewis).

Vera was a hard working stay at home mother to her nine (9) children and the many children in the neighborhoods she lived in, especially at Ninth and Perry Street in Watkins Glen. Later, she and Joe were the co-proprietors of Joe & Vera's Italian American Restaurant where friends would come for miles to enjoy a great meal and cocktail. Vera was well known for the years she cooked the Tuesday night meeting dinners for the Watkins Glen Elks Lodge.

Relatives and friends are invited to call on Tuesday, December 17, 2024 from 4-7 pm at Haughey-Wood & Zinger Funeral Home, 122 N. Genesee St., Montour Falls, NY. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, December 18, 2024 at noon at St. Mary's of the Lake Church, 905 N. Decatur St., Watkins Glen, NY. Burial will follow in Holy Cross Cemetery.

The family would like to thank Drs. Saks, and Singh, and all the staff of the Schuyler Hospital Acute Care Wing. In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to the Schuyler Health Foundation, 220 Steuben Street, Montour Falls, NY 14865; or St. Mary's of the Lake Church Cemeteries, PO Box 289, Watkins Glen, NY 14891.